This blog is dedicated to encouraging people to make quilts and laundry bags to send to Aussie service men and women currently serving overseas and to express our gratitude for their service. We care about the people - not the politics or the mission.
Our quilts are not works of art, but works of the heart.

Monday, 30 November 2015

We have been sending quilts to the families of the Fallen
since 2012 but often they are sent off quietly without ever appearing on the
blog as I feel we should respect the familes' privacy, especially as many of
them have been given their quilts some years after their loved one passed
away. I don't often talk about them on
the blog for this reason but I know many of the quilters would like to know
about them, especially when they have contributed to them by making blocks or
putting them together.

I shared the story of one Fallen Warrior Quilt and its recipient last week on the blog with the blessing of his widow. I can also tell you that earlier this year another family received a Fallen Warrior Quilt at the Australian War Memorial on the anniversary of their loved one's death.Last week I posted off a Fallen Warrior Quilt to the family of LCPL Andrew Jones. Today his mother received it and called to thank me and all of those who made blocks for it, saying that she thinks it is beautiful.

Tonight I can tell you a little bit about another quilt that was presented to the family of PTE Benjamin Ranaudo.

Fallen Australian Army soldier Private Benjamin Ranaudo has been forever immortalised at High Range training area near Townsville, Queensland, where a marksmanship range was named in his honour during a ceremony on 17 November 2015.

Supported by 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR), family and friends of the late Private Ranaudo gathered for a moving ceremony to rename a marksmanship range in his honour.At the same time a Fallen Warrior Quilt was presented to Ben's mum and dad. It was warmly received and they were very touched by the gesture.

Private Ranaudo enlisted in the Australian Army on 19 May 2006 and, after completing basic recruit training at Wagga Wagga in NSW, he was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and commenced the next phase of his training at Singleton, NSW.

In November 2006, Private Ranaudo was posted to 1 RAR at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland, where he served with distinction. He completed the basic reconnaissance course, combat first-aid course, qualified as Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle driver and also represented 1RAR in the highly prestigious Duke of Gloucester Cup, a skill-at-arms competition.

In 2007, Private Ranaudo deployed to Timor-Leste (East Timor) on Operation Astute and, later, also served in Afghanistan on Operation Slipper.

On 18 July 2009, Private Ranaudo was killed by an anti-personnel explosive device during his deployment to Afghanistan.Gone but not forgotten. Till next time......Lest We Forget.

Friday, 27 November 2015

We have crossed over a bunch of hurdles this week. Two weeks ago we crossed over the 5000 quilts since AHQ was formed. Tonight we cross over 1500 quilts sent this year! To think that in our first year we scraped in just under 1000 quilts.

Tonight we also jumped 2000 laundry bags for the year and 7500 laundry bags since AHQ was formed.

A big well done to all concerned. What a lot of smiles we must have collectively put on faces here, there and everywhere.

Thank you everyone for your hard work and dedication. We could not do it without every single contribution we receive, from blocks, embroideries, quilting, binding, signature blocks, financial contributions and more.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

1514 quilts and 2067 laundry bags for 2015.

5086 quilts and 7610 laundry bags in total.

Ann W

April

Barbara C

How do you like them BOMs! Look great don't they. A little bit of applique from me and some creative piecing from Rachel and Helen W and quilted and bound by Lisa N

Marianne

Cheri

Debbie

Debra and Emily T (Back and front - or front and back :-) )

Debra S

Denise H (Front and back)

Di R

Emanuele C

Fran T

Helen S

Jackie J

Jacqui D

Jacqui P

Janis

Jean

Jenny W

Jo H

Jo-Anne

Julie Ann

Kristy DB

This is a North of the Yarra Quilt Group quilt top which Leanne has appliqued and finished.

Lesley M

Lisa N

Louise T

Lynn S

Lynda and the MUC Pilgrim Patchworkers

Lynn and quilted by Debbie

Lynn created the top, I added the badge in the middle, Leonie quilted it and Julie Ann bound it.

Marilyn N

MUC Pilgrim Patchworkers

This is one of our Mystery Quilts. Love these quilts! The blocks were put together by Lynn and it was quilted and bound by Tess.

Pam H

Pennie

Robyn B

Ruth P

Sandy S

Su J

Sue M

Thanks for all your great efforts EVERYBODY!

Have a great weekend.

Till next time...............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!